I Decline the Ex-Boyfriend of the Regretful Male Lead (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13
Sreephis, with ordinary brown hair and neatly dressed, looked gentle but seemed far removed from matters of romance.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Anette Leangberia.”
I finished a brief greeting out of courtesy. He immediately placed a bouquet of flowers into my arms as if he’d been waiting.
The sweet floral scent tickled my nose.
“I heard you usually like flowers. It’s our first meeting, so I understand if it feels burdensome—but please accept it as a small token of my sincerity.”
Pink Celotia.
It was my favorite flower. Whenever I saw Celotia blooming in the academy courtyard, I often recalled days spent playing with Lian. Suddenly remembering those times, I unconsciously smiled faintly.
“It’s lovely. And fragrant.”
“I’m relieved. I worried all night you might dislike it.”
Young Master Edward smiled more joyfully than I did. His innocent expression made me feel slightly guilty. Though I’d been pushed into this by Father’s insistence, there was no chance we’d ever be destined for each other.
“You worried all night?”
“Truly. I really wanted you to be happy… you know.”
He must have taken quite a liking to me—he shyly flushed.
His eyes were bloodshot, and his skin looked dry. It was obvious he’d prepared meticulously for this first meeting. Honestly, it made me feel bad.
“Young Master Edward, if you’re tired, shall we reschedule for another day? I’m fine with it.”
From the start, I’d planned to slip away at the right moment and go meet the Duke. Feeling guilty was one thing, but if he’d just let me leave quickly, it’d be best for me.
“No! I’m not tired at all. Please, this way!”
But Edward’s eyes widened in alarm. His innocent face turned urgent. I clicked my tongue regretfully.
“Then let’s just set off quickly.”
Edward diligently fulfilled his role as my escort.
I saw him pinching his thigh the whole carriage ride to fight off sleep, but I pretended not to notice. After all, this date wouldn’t last long anyway.
We finally arrived at our destination.
For just a moment, I squinted against the warm sunlight—then a refreshing breeze swept in, filling my vision with an open, expansive view.
“This is Aora Lake.”
The very lake where fairies were said to dwell, reminiscent of the Duke’s eyes.
‘I wonder if he’s received my letter by now?’
Once again, I sank deep into worry over my marriage issue with Hertian.
What troubled me most was the fear that my Father’s letter might have upset him, leading him to refuse marriage with me.
“Young-ae, come this way! The lake is breathtaking!”
In contrast, Edward was simply elated.
“Coming. Let’s go.”
I shuffled my feet forward.
“Walk slowly so you don’t hurt your feet.”
We strolled along the path hugging the lakeside.
Thankfully, I’d worn a wide-brimmed hat—it blocked Edward’s intense gaze.
“But how long will we keep walking?”
How many minutes have we been walking already?
Time felt precious. Only then did Edward pull out his pocket watch, check the time, and thoughtfully calculate something.
“We’ve finished thirty minutes of walking… Next, let’s take a boat!”
So you had it all planned out?
It looked like he’d worked hard on this schedule. What should I do? I needed to leave soon.
Seeing his beaming, proud smile, I worried he’d be terribly disappointed if his plan fell apart. That wouldn’t be proper either. Reluctantly, I decided to ruin his plan early.
“I have a class soon, so I can’t stay long.”
“But the Count said today was your day off, Young-ae.”
“My schedule changed right before I left. And I’m not feeling well either.”
Afraid he might argue, I quickly cut him off.
“I understand… Very, very regretfully, let’s save the rest for our next meeting.”
“Alright.”
If there even is a next time.
Seeing how deeply disappointed he looked, I decided to at least go along with the boat ride. It was the bare minimum courtesy for Father, who’d arranged this.
Trending
But just as we neared the dock, Edward suddenly confessed.
“Actually… back at the academy, I once confessed to you and got rejected.”
Out of nowhere?
My steps halted abruptly.
“You might not remember.”
“To me? I don’t recall.”
No matter how intently I stared at him—
I’d never seen this man before today.
Edward’s face reddened, and he bit his lip tightly. His flushed cheeks, like erupting lava, clearly declared his affection for me.
“I expected you wouldn’t remember. But that’s alright—we’ve met again, Young-ae and I.”
“Haha. I must have a bad memory.”
I gave an awkward smile out of guilt.
But this is probably our last meeting. Haha.
“Back then, I was too naive. It’s probably for the best that I got rejected.”
Edward coolly glanced sideways.
“Because now, I can finally look you straight in the eyes.”
“…”
Stiff syllables.
Clearly a rehearsed line.
“Yes. We’re about the same height, so I can see your eyes clearly even face-to-face.”
I averted my gaze and changed the subject.
“Young Master, I’ll wash my hands before boarding the boat. I’ll leave the flowers here too.”
“Go ahead.”
He replied with a gentle eye-smile and turned away. After setting down the cumbersome bouquet and washing my hands, I looked back to track Edward with my eyes. He stood beneath the shade of a distant tree.
But beside him stood someone else, arms crossed, engaged in a serious conversation. As I stepped a few paces closer, the tall man’s face, previously hidden in shadow, came into view. My heart dropped like a stone.
“How does he keep finding me…?”
Serdis. He hadn’t shown himself since the banquet, yet here he was—alongside Edward, who was currently on a date with me.
“I expected he’d interfere, but I didn’t think he’d show up in person.”
I was so exasperated I nearly shuddered. Immediately, I turned away—not toward the carriage, but in the opposite direction along the lake. If he knew I was here, the carriage wouldn’t be safe either.
After circling the lake to evade Serdis, I found myself back near the dock. I patted my stiff legs and glanced behind me.
At that moment, I nearly stumbled in shock at the sight of Serdis. It now seemed entirely plausible he’d cast a tracking spell on me.
“Just ten minutes. I’ll get on the boat and get off!”
Helpless, I entered the dock and boarded the moored boat. The elderly boatkeeper, looking flustered, hurried toward me. I gestured for him not to come closer.
“Don’t come near! I’ll get off soon. Sorry, but if anyone asks about my whereabouts, please say I went the other way. I’m begging you.”
As soon as I finished speaking, I saw Serdis entering the dock and quickly ducked low. I held my breath for a while. The distant voices ceased.
Had Serdis left? I peeked out cautiously to scan the dock. He was gone—apparently unable to find me, he’d gone elsewhere. Just as I rose to leave—
“Huh?”
The boat began moving.
And at an incredibly fast speed.
I tried to stand but froze at the sight of the violently rocking boat. Only then did I realize the secret of this oarless vessel—it was enchanted to depart automatically once someone boarded and enough time passed.
The elderly boatkeeper ran over in a panic from afar but merely pressed his forehead and shook his head.
“So there’s no way to turn back…”
It meant I’d have to ride the boat alone until it reached the opposite dock.
Aora Lake was a vast, vast lake where fairies dwelled. Now I was utterly alone on its wide, desolate shore. The grandeur of the lake unfolding before me made my breath quicken.
“Now that I think of it… didn’t I almost drown once long ago?”
An old memory suddenly surfaced—my breath caught sharply in my throat. Cold sweat streamed down my rigid spine. My heart pounded so violently it felt ready to burst through my chest.
“Stay calm… Stay calm, Anette.”
I shook my head and slowly sat down.
‘Besides, it’s just a lake—it can’t be that deep.’
I glanced sideways at the lake water—it was incredibly clear, transparent enough to see straight to the bottom.
ads
What if monsters live here instead of fairies?!
Something—sweat or tears, I couldn’t tell—kept flowing, stinging my eyes.
Aora Lake wasn’t an ordinary lake set in an open plain.
Thorny thickets lined its winding shores. It might be a magnificent sight for some, but to me, it was utterly maddening.
“Hello!”
I called out pitifully, but the thorns blocked my view—the old man was nowhere to be seen. There wasn’t a soul around.
“Is… is anyone there?”
Is anyone there~?
Is anyone there~?
My voice echoed, resonating through the lakeside woods.
Why is it echoing so much?!
This isn’t some jungle!
This won’t do.
“Just… stay still…”
I’ll close my eyes completely.
That might be better for my mental health.
Being abandoned alone in nature was truly terrifying.
The feeling of being the only person left in the world.
Carefully, I brought my knees together and buried my face in them. Pitch-black darkness covered my vision.
I tightly covered my ears so I wouldn’t hear the birds chirping in the trees or the strange sounds rising from beneath the lake.
Just a little longer like this.
I waited for time—frozen as it seemed—to pass. But suddenly, sensing dampness on my knees, I lifted my head to find my dress soaked in bright red blood. A drop of blood then plopped from my nose.
“Help me…”
I nearly screamed. This weak body! Not a single day went by when it was ever useful. Overwhelmed by sorrow, I burst into tears so hard my vision blurred.
As fear clouded my mind, the boat rocked violently once more. Startled, I flailed—and someone grabbed my arm.
“Huh?”
My eyes flew open in shock. Air rushed into my half-stilled lungs. And beneath the landscape of only lake and trees, a person finally appeared.
“Are you alright?”
A man’s worried voice reached me. My vision, blurred by sweat and tears, could barely make out his silhouette calling to me. His dark hair confirmed it wasn’t Serdis.
“Ed…ward Young Master?”
My hoarse voice scraped painfully through my throat.
“How did you end up in this state…?”
His voice was just as hoarse as mine. But that wasn’t important right now. Gripping him with my bloodstained hand, I pleaded desperately.
“Excuse me, could you please help me? I need to get out of here and go to the square.”
I had to meet Hertian. I absolutely had to meet him.
“In this state, where do you think you’re going?”
“There’s someone I must meet…”
I couldn’t finish my sentence.
My tension broke—and my consciousness slipped away.
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Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.

Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
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MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (2)
Blairwoods Chapter 14“You’ve only loved her for three years. I’ve loved her for five.”
Now why would they were competing in who had long loved her 😂
Aelthia Chapter 77Wow, are prophetesses so common in this world that there are multiple renowned ones?
Inline Comments (5)
- Aelthia Chapter 90 — Paragraph 138
“As I said before, I can only cast a forbidden ritual to remove divine abilities
Casting a ‘forbidden ritual’ to remove divine abilities sounds like practicing black magic. So Violet practices black magic? What is her true goal?
- Aelthia Chapter 91 — Paragraph 65
He collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Only the ring on his finger glimmered fa
I have quite a few things to say about the function of this enchantment. Right now though the main thing is that if the enchantment functions in this way…what happens if Anette dies while he has the ring turned on?
- Aelthia Chapter 93 — Paragraph 183
Under the name ‘Tiamo.’
‘Ti amo’, Spanish for ‘I love you’
Is this the Annette fan club? Lol.
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Blairwoods
She always lost consciousness with him. I wonder why???